Shelving structure



Now 9, 1954 H. A. GURRIES 2,693,884

SHELVING STRUCTURE Filed Feb. 14, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet l 1M ENTOR.. HenryA, Gar 7 e5 H. A. GURRIES 2,693,884

swam/me STRUCTURE Filed Feb. 14, 1949 5 Sheet 3 H770E/VEY5 United StatesPatent Ofiice 2,693,884 Patented Nov. 9, 1954 SHELVING STRUCTURE HenryA. Gun'ies, San Jose, Calif.

Application February 14, 1949, Serial No. 76,257

1 Claim. (Cl. 211-136) This invention relates generally to shelvingstructures such as are suitable for use in merchandise establishments.

The various types of shelving structures which have been available inthe past for retail stores and other merchandise establishments, havepossessed a number of disadvantages and defects. In some instances thestructures are factory assembled in sections which are then shipped forinstallation in the establishment. This type of construction possessesthe disadvantage that it is difficult to ship over long distances, andis diflicult to handle and install in the final location desired. it hasalso been proposed to factory make certain component parts andsubassemblies, which are then shipped in knock down form to theestablishment for erection where desired. Structures of this characterwhich have been available in the past have required too much time andskilled labor in their erection. In addition to the considerations justmentioned, such shelving structures should have great inherent strengthto resist the loads placed upon the shelves, and it is highly desirableto provide utmost flexibility with respect to the height at whichsections of the shelving are placed. in other words it is undesirable toprovide continuous shelves of a fixed type, extending the entire lengthof an assembled structure, but it is desirable to be able to placevarious smaller sections of the shelving at a desired optimum height,which may be changed from time to time as convenience requires. Manyshelving structures which have been available in the past have not beensufficiently flexible in this respect, and they have not provided thenecessary rigidity and strength to properly support the shelves at theheight selected.

In general it is an object of the present invention to provide ashelving structure which is particularly adapted for use in merchandiseestablishments, and which is featured by the fact that it can be shippedin its component parts and subassemblies, in a relatively compactpackage, and can be erected where desired with a minimum amount oflabor.

Another object of the invention is to provide a shelving structure whichis capable of withstanding the relatively heavy usage to which the samemay be subjected in merchandising establishments such as grocery stores,and which has wide flexibility with respect to the levels at which theshelving sections may be placed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel subassembly ofparts for adjustably supporting the shelves, and which affords a highdegree of strength, while at the same time permitting application of ashelf at a desired level.

Another object of the invention is to provide a shelving structure inknockdown form having a number of its component parts, particularlyparts required to take considerable stress, formed of steel or othersuitable metal.

Another object of the invention is to provide a shelving structurehaving a number of novel features which contribute to ease with whichthe component parts can be erected.

Additional objects and features of the invention will appear from thefollowing description in which the preferred embodiment has been setforth in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

Referring to the drawing.

Figure 1 is an elevation, of the end section, showing a shelvingconstruction incorporating the present invention.

Figure 2 is an end view of the structure shown in Figure l, with theleft-hand portion thereof shown in section and taken along the line 22of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail taken along the line 33of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail taken along the line l4of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional View taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail taken along the line 66of Figure 5, and showing particularly the manner in which the shelvesare supported by their associated brackets.

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional detail on an enlarged scale taken alongthe line 7-7 of Figure 5.

The assembled shelving structure constituting the present inventionconsists generally of a base structure 10, which forms a stable supportfor the upright structure 11. The base structure provides a counter orshelf 12, and the upright structure 11 serves to support a number ofshelves 1?; and 14. As illustrated particularly in Figures 2 and 5 thestructure is of the so-called gondola type, in that the base ll) extendssymmetrically on both sides of the upright structure 11, to formduplicate shelves or counters l2, and the upright structure 11 is formedto enable attachment of shelves 113 and 14 on both sides of the same. itshould be understood however that in some instances the parts may not beduplicated, and the structure may be modified for installation againstthe vertical wall of a building. The parts are adapted for assembly insections of predetermined length, so that as many sections as desiredmay be attached together to form a complete shelving structure ofextended length.

The base structure it) consists of wood sills 21 which have alongitudinal distance between their centers corresponding to the lengthof the sections. These sills can be contoured as illustrated in Figures2 and 5, and serve to support substantially the entire weight of thestructure.

The main structural parts of the upright structure 11 are the webassemblies 22., which likewise have a longitudinal spacing the same asthe distance between centers of the base sills 21. The web assemblies 22are firmly attached to the sills 21, in the manner to be presentlydescribed. The upper edge of each sill 21 is shown notched at 23 and 24,to receive the longitudinal tie strips 26 and 2'7. These strips can bein sections of suitable length, corresponding to the distance betweencenters of the sills 21, and they can be attached to the sill bysuitable means such as nails or screws. At suitable points the forwardstrips 25 can be attached to the sills by use of metal brackets 28. Theforward strips 26 are preferably contoured to receive a metal trim strip29, in order to enhance the appearance. Suitable panels 31, such aspanels made of plywood, are attached at their edges to the sills and tothe strips 26 and 27, to form a shelf supporting surface. Additionalfront panels 32 are attached to the forward edge of the sills 21 andtrim strips 33.

Each of the vertical Web assemblies 22 consists of duplicate pieces 34of sheet metal (Figure 3) which in manufacture are retained together bysuitable means such as the rivets 36. The side edges of the sheets 34are provided with regularly spaced openings 37, which are adapted toreceive the metal lugs 38. Each of the lugs 38 consists of a centralenlarged portion 39 or collar, which forms in effect a spacing collarbetween the sheets 34, and projecting end portions or studs 41 which areaccommodated in the openings 37, and which serve to retain front wallpanels as will be presently described. The vertical edges of the sheets34 are bent to provide the flanges 42, which also serve to retain frontwall panels as will be presently described. The upper and lower endportions of each web assembly are provided with keyhole shaped openings43 and 44 which serve to accommodate tie rods to be presently described.

The attachment between each of these web assemblies 22 and itsassociated sill 21 makes use of a metal fin 46 (Figures 5 and 7). Thelower portion of this fin is accommodated within a slot formed in thesill 21, and is locked in place by bolts 47. The upper projectingportion of each fin is provided with openings contoured in the samemanner as openings 44, to accommodate tie rods and attaching means aswill be presently described. The ends of the fin are provided with slots48, which are engaged by the inner ends of the bearing plate 49 Theseplates are attached to the sill as by means of nails.

During the erection of the structure the sills 21 are first placed inproper position, after which the sills are connected together by thestrips 26 and 27. Then the web assemblies 22 are placed in properposition upon the sills by use of the fins 46 and the webs are thenconnected together by the tie rods 51 and retained on the same centersas the spacing of the sills. All of the tie rods (or pipes) employed maybe of 'like construction and length. Each rod 51 has its end portionprovided with the laterally extending slots 52, thus providing a portion53 of reduced width which can be accommodated and locked in one of thekeyhole contoured openings 44 (Figure 7). It will be understood in thisconnection that the upper part of each keyhole opening is of such sizethat the end of a rod 51 can be inserted in the same. The rod may thenbe lowered into locked position with the associated web, substantiallyas shown in Figure 7. The keyhole openings 44 are of suflicient depththat two rods can be placed in locked position one above the other. Thusthe tie rods for adjacent sections may be staggered in this fashion asshown in Figure 3.

After the erection and tying together of the webs 22, the next operationis to apply the upright wall panels 56, which can be made of suitablematerial such as plywood. These plywood panels have a thicknesscorresponding generally to the spacing between the flanges 42 and theadjacent studs 41. With panels which are properly dimensioned, theirvertical edges can be inserted between the flanges 42 and the studs 41by sliding the panels downwardly behind the flanges, from the top of theweb assembly. The assembled position of these panels is illustrated inFigure 5. Note that their lower edges bear upon the plates 49, and thatthey extend substantially the entire height of the structure.

In order to finish the top of the structure, it is desirable to providea wood filler strip 58, which is in sections of sufficient length toextend between the upper portions of the web assemblies 22. The ends ofthe strips 58 are shown resting upon studs 59, which may be studs formedupon the ends of lugs like the lugs 38, except for the provision of alarger spacing collar 61. A metal trim cap 62 is shown seated over eachfiller strip 58. The depending sides 63 of this cap are shown providedwith inturned edges 64, adapted to snap into slots 66 provided in theflanges 42 of the associated web assemblies. This provides a simple andconvenient way of applying and retaining the trim cap.

The shelves 13 and 14 are shown supported by the fin brackets 71 and 72,which are identical in construction except for dimensioning. Each fin isformed of a piece of sheet metal contoured substantially as illustrated,and formed to provide means at its larger end for forming a readilyremovable attachment to the web assemblies 22. Thus as shown in Figure 2the fin 71 is contoured at its larger end to provide slots 73 and 74which are adapted to accommodate two adjacent lugs 38, and also toprovide a lock finger 76, which is adapted to extend behind and inlocking engagement with the lug 38 immediately above that lug whichengages the slot 74. Finger 76 is contoured so that when the fin 71 israised, the notches 73 and 74 disengage with respect to their associatedlugs, and thereafter the finger 76 can be lowered from engagement withits associated lug, and then the entire fin retracted. In a similarmanner a fin can be applied to the web assembly at any elevationdesired.

In order to facilitate attachment of shelf panels to the fin bracket 71,the upper edges of these brackets are slotted as illustrated, and theportions 77 and 78 intervening between the slots are bent laterally inopposite directions (Figures 4 and 6). The supporting surfaces which arecarried by the fins 71 and 72, consist of panels 79' and 81, which canlikewise be made of plywood, and which can be duplicates except fordimensioning. Substantially U-shaped metal strips 82 are attached to theends of the panels 79 and 81 (Figure 6) and the strips are adapted toseat over the corresponding aligned lugs 77 and 78 of the fin 72. Wherea fin bracket is at the end of a complete assembly, it is desirable toprovide it with a finishing and edge forming plate 83. These plates canbe dimensioned so that the upper edges of the same extend somewhat abovethe upper surface of the shelf panels 79 and 81. Their inner faces areprovided with recess forming strips 86, to facilitate attachment to thealigned portions 77, 78 of an adjacent fin, and the lower edge portionsmay contact struck out portions 87 provided on the adjacent fins, inorder to facilitate retention of the finishing strips in a desiredvertical position.

The end of a complete assembly of sections should be finished off insuch a manner as to cover over the corresponding sill 21 and webassembly 22. Thus at each end a pair of cover boards 91, which can becontoured as shown in Figures 2 and 5 can be attached to the adjacentend sill 21. In addition a cover board 92 is applied over the webassembly 22, and extends to the floor between the boards 91. The lowerportion of the board 92 can be rabbeted to receive adjacent edges of theboards 91. The finishing board just mentioned can be held in place bysuitable means such as the bolts 93, 94 and 95. Bolts 93 pass throughthe adjacent sill 21, the bolts 94 pass through the upper ends of theadjacent keyhole openings 44 and Web assembly 22, and the bolts 95 passthrough the upper end of the keyhole 43, which is at the upper end ofthe web assembly.

It will be evident that my shelf construction possesses many advantagesover the conventional constructions now being employed. All of thevarious component parts and subassemblies can be completed at thefactory, and shipped for quick erection within a store or othermerchandise establishment. No skilled labor is required for erection inthe store, and erection can be carried out where the shelves are toremain, thus avoiding troublesome moving after erection. As manysections as desired can be erected at the same time, and after erectionthe.

variousshelves can be adjusted to the height desired, for the varioussections, in accordance with the type of merchandise being displayed.After erection the structure 1s relat1vely strong, and the shelves arenot subject to misalignment or sagging after long usage. The webassembly'22 1s sufliciently strong to take substantially all of thestresses applied from the web brackets 71, and the sills 21 in turn areadequate to receive all of the stresses and weight from the webassemblies.

While my invention has been disclosed as applied to a shelf constructionof the gondola type, having shelves on both sides of an uprightstructure, it is evident that principles of the invention can be used inother types of shelving constructions, as for example constructionsintended for erection against a vertical wall of a building. For such astructure the web assemblies 22 are provided with a row of lugs 38 alongonly one side of the same, and the other edges of the fin assemblies arecut vertically to fit in close proximity with a vertical wall.

I claim:

In a shelf construction for carrying merchandise, a shelf supportingbracket, said bracket comprising a sheet of metal having its upperportion slotted, the portions 1nterven1ng between the slots bentlaterally in opposite directions to form a pair of aligned shelfsupporting surfaces, a shelf panel adapted to carry merchandise, a U-shaped metal strip on one end of said panel engaging one of said alignedshelf supporting surfaces, a trim plate, recess forming means attachedto said trim plate and engaging the other of said aligned shelfsupporting surfaces, said trim plate being dimensioned to cover one sideof said bracket and to extend above the upper surface of said shelfpanel to prevent spillage of merchandise from said shelf panel, struckout portions near the lower edge of said shelf supporting bracket, saidstruck out portions serving to retain said trim plate in a substantiallyvertical position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 443,866 Pauli Dec. 30, 1890 857,543 Thomas June 18, 19071,024,922 Beecher Apr. 30, 1912 1,089,796 Schafiert Mar. 10, 19141,506,442 OHara Aug. 26, 1924 1,560,122 Vance Nov. 3, 1925 1,567,774Vance Dec. 29, 1925 1,736,883 MacDonald Nov. 26, 1929 (Other referenceson following page) Number UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Eustis Dec. 5,1933 Slater Dec. 11, 1934 Slater Sept. 29, 1936 Pinto Feb. 27, 1940Eustis Feb. 11, 1941 Number Number Name Date Bales May 8, 1945 SchildJan. 14, 1947 Kern Dec. 7, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date GreatBritain A. D. 1900 Great Britain May 24, 1904

